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Claayer and I seem to be on the same page lately

Remember when she was changing out her outlet covers?

Well, I'm putting up new sheetrock in my kitchen. And of course there are outlet boxes in the way.

And I know how to cut the new hole. But the outlet boxes are old - metal - and I just got buzzed by one of them.

Usually I turn off the power when I am anywhere near an uncovered one, but this time I was just measuring for the hole and BZZZZZZ.

Are the old metal boxes that fussy?

Should I change them out for the new, blue plastic boxes?

And maybe even grounded outlets with those test button thingies???

Any advice would be helpful

in quite a few ways

I'm afraid that I can't help you out, as we use a different electrical system to the one used in the US.

But its always a good idea to have plastic boxes instead of metal ones, as the plastic ones do not conduct electricity if a live wire is touching them.

It would be better if somebody familiar to the US electrical system gives you their opinion.

Sounds like there may be a short or naked wire in there. I would deffinately turn off the power and change out the old box for the new style plastic. while you're at it, you need to install ground fault plugs. Some city codes require this type of plug in the kitchen and batrooms. I'm no expert, but have helped do a lot of remodeling in my day.

If you received a shock by just touching the box and not touching a bare wire, then you have a short. This could be a fire hazzard in the long run. If you can replace your wire with grounded wire then do so, but your breaker or fuse box will also have to be grounded. You should also replace any outlet with a GFI (Ground Fault) anywhere there is an outlet near a water source. If you are running your boxes in series, you can connect your GFI first in the series and every outlet downstream will be covered by the GFI.

If this sounds like a little more than you want to take on, maybe you might call an electrician. They are well worth the money when it comes to NOT burning down your house.

Zee

You don't hang the sheetrock and then cut around the electrical boxes. you need to measure and cut the holes before hanging the sheetrock.

the metal boxes are better, leave them in, also, in many older houses the metal box is the only ground.

once the sheet rock in hung, the outlets will now be too deep in the wall. you will need to unscrew the outlet put in box extenders to bring the outlet flush with the wall.

Ground fault plugs-- these are only used close to a water supply , so you wont get a shock. use only within 6 feet of a sick, tub or toilet.

I agree, sounds like she got the saw inside of the box... dangerous.

By the sounds of it.... if you don't really know what you are doing with the electric.. have a pro do it!!!!

if you do it yourself and screw it up and burn down the house (can happen easily) the insurance wont pay!

If you have wood studs in your house, metal boxes are NOT grounded. For them to be grounded they will need to be connected to the ground via a wire or a steel stud which in turn is grounded.

As said above, the metal box should not shock you. If it does then you have a gounding problem and should get an electrician to have a look. If you accidentally poke a metal object inside the box it is possible you touched a hot wire and that will shock you but is normal. Turn off the breaker(s) to those outlets before working around them.

easy to tell with a cheap circuit testes. usually the old metal boxes have the ground wire attached to the outside of the box. but agree... if tested bad. need to run a ground.

But that is too much for someone that don't know how and understand electric.

but the metal boxes are stronger and safer.
especially in an old house that still has a fuse box instead of breakers.

Heck... my house is so old.. it has original outlets in the floor

soon to be changed

No, I wasn't cutting with a saw.

I was just moving the sheet rock and touched the metal box with my finger.

Never fear, I do know enough to keep metal objects away from the box.

And I will turn the power off at the breaker box until my helper comes next week.

How old is the place you are working on?

Are the outlets still screwed tight into the box or loosened?

either way........ better safe than sorry.

Never know....... I've seen people do worse things

Let me clarify.... in most cases the metal boxes were not grounded in old houses where a 2 wire electrical system was installed. In most cases the wires were directly connected to the outlets and the ground was not connected to the box. If the installing electrician did connect the ground to the box and the box to the outlet...... he was smart.

Sorry for any confusion.

Zee

That could be the problem...the switch or outlet connections may be loose.

That's why I asked about the plastic boxes.

I'm not sure when the room was electrified.

The house was built sometime between 1802 and 1820, so these boxes are secured to lathe.

Fortunately, there is a breaker box and modern wiring.

When I turn the power completely off with the main breaker, I'll see if the outlets are secure or even grounded in any way.

Thanks for the info and your concern about burning this place down

Take a pic of the boxes and wiring and send them to me. There's nothing wrong with using metal boxes and I personally wouldn't use the plastic ones, unless they're the grey PVC outdoor type and used where they're supposed to be.

Best and safest solution: get an electrician!

Advices help but there is nothing better than a qualifyed person fixing the problem on the spot. And you will be much more safer!
Out of all things I would take on, as a single woman, electical ones were never on my list. They's just too dangerous to play with.

I fixed it.

Turned off the main breaker and pulled the switch and outlet out of the box.

Turns out the wires connected to the outlet fixture were very loose.

Also, the ground wires were floating around and really close to the metal of the box.

The outlet fixture did have a ground screw and the wires were modern and in good shape.

I resecured everything and used a lamp to see if the circuit was working after I turned the power back on.

I also used a two prong tester to see if the box was no longer carrying a current.

As the guys said, an electrician is the best course. But with the price of gas, it's difficult to get an electrician to drive here for such a simple fix.

Thanks all for all the good advice!

The only advice you should be getting here is

LEAVE IT TO AN ELECTRICIAN!!!

The price may be prohibitive but,

have you seen the price of funerals these days????